The research mission of GFA Ireland is to “undertake research of the highest international standard across the core thematic areas in finance that drive the development of the international financial services industry”. This is achieved through a two-pronged strategy. First, the GFA aims to be at the academic research frontier internationally in the field of finance, as evidenced by frequent publications in the most prestigious academic finance journals such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Review of Financial Studies. Second, the research carried out at the GFA is informed by the close working relationships which it has developed with the financial services industry in Ireland and, increasingly, with firms in leading financial centres world-wide. There is little conflict of interest between academic excellence and practical relevance in the field of finance. The very best of academic research in finance is widely used in the financial services industry – precisely because much of the best academic research in this area addresses issues that are important in practice. The ultimate objective of the GFA is to help establish Ireland as the international location of choice for high-value-added financial services.
Research AgendaThe research agenda of GFA Ireland is central to its “cutting edge” course content, to its high status and reputation and to the reputation and credibility of Ireland as a leading international financial centre. It links closely with the current and anticipated skills and knowledge needs of a broad range of companies in the financial services industry and builds upon the competencies of outstanding researchers within the Academy. Strong interdisciplinary collaborations are a hallmark of the Academy. These take place both within the Academy itself and between the Academy and other universities in Ireland and overseas and also with a range of industry partners.
Research ThemesGFA research is organized around seven broad research themes. These themes reflect current and potential activities in the IFSC. They span the range of thematic areas in finance that are traditionally found at the world’s top rated business schools and which also match the needs of industry. The Academy will recruit key personnel of high international standing to act as research leaders in these areas.
- Asset pricing
- Financial engineering and risk management
- Corporate finance
- Intermediation
- Global financial markets and institutions
- Policy and regulation
- Insurance